The Story of the Statue of Liberty: With Movable Illustrations in Three Dimensions

In 1875, a French sculptor named Auguste Bartholdi was commissioned to design and build the Statue of Liberty. This pop-up book details his labors, from the first wooden frames to the unveiling of the statue in New York harbor, 11 years later. A great deal of information is compressed into six spreads, including accounts of how the statue's system of steel beams and girders was designed. Moving parts allow the reader to see external and internal views by sliding a tab; pictures of people gathered around the statue provide a true perspective of its size. But at least two questions aren't addressed: Why did the French people give the Americans such an elaborate gift, and how are the copper plates made and attached? Because of the technical aspects involved, the text, though fluid, seems a bit sophisticated for its audience, and the overall visual effect is rather cluttered. It's a good idea, thoughone that may have benefited from the adage that less is more. (59)